The Who Cancels U.S. Tour Dates After Roger Daltrey Diagnosed With Viral Meningitis

The Who have cancelled the rest of their dates in the U.S. leg of their 50th anniversary world tour as Roger Daltrey is ill with viral meningitis. The British rock band announced their decision to postpone the dates on their website on Friday (18th September).

Roger Daltrey performing on opening night of the Quadrophenia Tour in November 2012.

Their decision to cancel the remainder of their tour dates comes after the band cancelled the first four concerts in the North American leg of their The Who Hits 50! tour. Daltrey was too unwell to perform at these concerts but doctors were uncertain at the time what illness he was suffering from. As stated on The Who’s website, they have since done further testing and 71-year-old Daltrey has been diagnosed with viral meningitis.

He is recovering but his doctors have ordered him to rest.

According to the NHS website, symptoms of viral meningitis are flu like with headaches and fever. More severe symptoms can include muscle, joint pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The tour dates have been postponed until next year. Both Daltrey and Pete Townshend have apologised for any inconvenience caused by the postponement.

“We are very sorry to disappoint our fans in this way,” Daltrey said in a statement. “For the last four weeks, I have been in and out of the hospital and have been diagnosed with viral Meningitis. I am now on the mend and feeling a lot better but I am going to need a considerable time to recover. The doctors tell me I will make a complete recovery, but that I should not do any touring this year.”